"Josh Todd wrote Buckcherry's Sorry as an apology to his spouse, acknowledging his altered, unpredictable behavior when under the influence of alcohol and drugs."
Buckcherry, known for their sleazeball riffs and aggressive music, surprised many with the success of their power ballad "Sorry." The song, written by lead singer Josh Todd as an apology for being away from home due to his music career, resonated widely with audiences and became their highest-charting single, reaching No. 9 on the US charts.
Todd penned two significant songs for the album "15," which was recorded on a very limited budget and time. "Crazy Bitch," a leery, lascivious old-school strut, and "Sorry," a wistful, instantly catchy country-rock ballad, showcased Todd's versatility as a songwriter.
The band's feral hard rock sound initially posed challenges, but the emotional depth and ballad style of "Sorry" helped it transcend their image and receive broad radio and festival success. Todd believes that people love "Sorry" because everyone can relate to its themes of regret and hope for redemption.
Todd wrote "Sorry" as a fun song to sing with his youngest daughter, but he realised it was the perfect way to apologize to his wife, Mitzi Martin, whom he met through a photographer in 2000. Interestingly, Mitzi didn't know the depth of Todd's dysfunction and where he came from when they started dating.
Buckcherry's 1999 debut album had gold sales, but their 2001 follow-up, "Time Bomb," was a relative stiff. The band went on hiatus in 2002, suggesting they were realizing the zeitgeist was against them. However, they made a comeback in 2005 with a small advance from a Japanese record label, resulting in the album "15."
During this period, 'nerd-rock' and rap-rock were popular, and Buckcherry didn't fit into either category. Despite this, "Sorry" became Buckcherry's highest chart performer. Todd spent less than two hours tracking the vocal for "Sorry," and the song's success resulted in extensive touring and playing huge festivals, helping establish Buckcherry despite earlier industry challenges.
In 2005, Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson rebuilt the line-up with Stevie D (guitar), Jimmy Ashhurst (bass), and Xavier Muriel (drums). Buckcherry's latest album, "Roar Like Thunder," is out now via Earache. Todd has seen big, tattooed men singing "Sorry" and believes it's touching people. The sentiment of "Sorry" is familiar to anyone who makes their living on the road, as it expresses the struggle of touring musicians to be present for their families.
In conclusion, Buckcherry's "Sorry" is a testament to the power of emotional depth in music, proving that even a band known for their feral hard rock sound can achieve success with a well-crafted ballad. The song's success has helped establish Buckcherry and continues to resonate with audiences today.
- After the success of their power ballad "Sorry," Buckcherry's latest album, "Roar Like Thunder," is out now via Earache.
- The band's fleeting hiatus in 2002 seemed to suggest they were realizing the zeitgeist was against them, but they made a comeback in 2005.
- Despite the popularity of 'nerd-rock' and rap-rock during that period, "Sorry" became Buckcherry's highest chart performer.
- The emotional depth and ballad style of "Sorry" helped it transcend their image and receive broad radio and festival success.
- Todd penned two significant songs for the album "15," including the leery, lascivious "Crazy Bitch" and the wistful, instantly catchy "Sorry."
- Todd wrote "Sorry" as a fun song to sing with his youngest daughter, but realized it was the perfect way to apologize to his wife, Mitzi Martin, whom he met through a photographer in 2000.
- Prog, entertainment, and music enthusiasts may enjoy an interview with lead singer Josh Todd discuss the process of writing "Sorry" and Buckcherry's memorable tour performances.
